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February 29, 2016 (Published by the CTF Connection)

Graham made history on February 21, 2016 when he became the first Canadian to capture a PBA title.

After an exciting qualifying week where Graham led for most of the week, and throughout most of the match play round, he ended up in second place to make his first television finals in just his second PBA event.

Graham’s performance on TV was exemplary; he showed physical, tactical and mental skills beyond his years. At one point on the TV show, even Randy Peterson commented on the fact that Graham was not supposed to be performing this well since this was his first ever telecast.

So what was the secret to his success? “There wasn’t much going on in my head during TV.” During the show, Graham was able to master his mental game by being completely in the moment for every shot; without focusing on the story, the setting, the fact that no Canadian had ever won a PBA title in the past, Graham stuck to his game and kept doing the things that had led him to this point.

“I told myself to have fun on the TV show. It’s not everyday that you get to do what you love to do on live television for the world to see. I didn’t want to look back and regret anything on the show.” This is the mindset of a true champion.

By keeping his head in the right space and staying in the moment, Graham was able to focus on his ball reaction and make the right adjustments at the right time. Early in his first match, Graham was having trouble getting the ball to read early enough on the right lane, after tightening his angle he came back against Australia’s Sam Cooley, 247-244.

And in the final match, Graham saw transition on the right lane halfway through the game. Even after striking through the first six frames, Graham made the move in and kept making good shots. Being perfect through 11 out of 12 shots, Graham won the title, 279-244 over Ryan Ciminelli.

Graham truly is an incredible role model for all Canadian youth bowlers to aspire to.

Lucy Sandelin and Paula Vidad of the USA won the gold medal in women’s doubles at the 2015 World Bowling Senior Championships, while Colombia’s Nicolas Ruiz and Julio Soto captured the men’s title at Sam’s Town Bowling Center on Thursday.

In the women’s final, Sandelin and Vidad defeated Germany’s Martina Beckel and Gisela Insinger, 430-417. In a very exciting men’s title match, Ruiz and Soto recorded a one-pin victory over John Chapman and Ray Vervynck, 429-428.

Sandelin and Vidad, who led qualifying with a six-game total of 2,419, defeated France Joubert and Jill Friis 414-372 in the semifinal match. Beckel and Insinger of Germany defeated USA’s Robin Romeo and Tish Johnson in the other semifinal match 420-343, Canada and USA shared Bronze.

In the men’s division the gold medal game came down to the last frame as
Chapman and Vervynck held a 14-pin advantage entering the final frame. Ruiz delivered three strikes to start the 10th for Colombia, reducing the deficit to three pins as anchors Soto and Vervynck stepped up.

Both Soto and Vervynck delivered strikes to start the 10th frame. Soto left the 1-5-8-9 combination on his second offering, giving Vervynck the opportunity to get nine or better on his second shot to secure the title.

Vervynck left the 3-9-10 split, giving both players the chance to spare to force a tie. Soto recorded the mark, while Vervynck only was able to knock down the 9 and 10 pins to send the gold to Colombia. Chapman and Vervynck earned silver medals.

John Chapman leads All Events after two disciplines with a total of 2616, Ray Vervynck is in 6th at 2514, and Todd Sim sits in 7th with a total of 2499. On the ladies side France Joubert is in 8th place with 2335.

The World Bowling Senior Championships features more than 200 male and female participants age 50 and older from 33 countries vying for medals in singles, doubles, team, all-events and Masters competition.

Competition continues Friday at 1 p.m. Eastern with men’s team qualifying. All rounds of the 2015 event will be broadcast live on BOWL.com’s BowlTV.

For more information on the World Bowling Senior Championships, visit WorldBowling.org.

After finishing just outside of the medals in the Singles discipline at the 2015 PABCON Youth Championships, with Cederick Ruest-Lajoie finishing fourth a mere twelve pins out of third and Leigha Carnevale finishing fifth twenty-two pins from third, the Canadian Youth fought back in doubles and found the podium in both divisions.

Leigha Carnevale & Mykaela Mitchell battled to a second place finish, while the boys team of Josh Brant-Parkin & Sean Coutts finished in third place.

After two days of competition the All Events scores has Sean leading for the Canadian boys sitting in 12th place with a total score of 2557, followed by Cederick Ruest-Lajoie 13th at 2255, Mitch Hupe 15th, 2542, and Josh Brant-Parkin 17th, 2509.

Mykaela Mitchell leads the Canadian girls in All Events in 5th place with a two day total of 2442 followed by Leigha Carnevale in 7th with 2409. Stephanie Adams sits in 19th with 2169 and Shaune Pine 27th, at 2088.

Trios Team scheduled for the girls today will see Leigha Carnevale leading off with Stephanie Adams bowling in second place and Mykaela Mitchell anchoring.

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Team Canada Men Head to PABCON Championships!
Coaches and High Performance have finalized this years line-up for the men who will competing at the 2015 Men’s PABCON Championships to be held in San Juan Puerto Rico.

The 2015 Pan American Bowling Confederation Men’s Championships, will run from September 12 through 19 in San Juan,
Puerto Rico.
Players will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in Singles, Doubles, Trios, Team, All-Events and match-play Masters.

Rounding out the men’s national team with MacLelland from Kitchener, Ontario, Lavoie of Quebec City, PQ, and Hupe of Winnipeg, MB will be Joe Ciach from Mississauga, ON, Travis Cauley of Hamilton, ON and Ray Vervynck from Whitby, ON. The High Performance selection committee will add two selections to both teams to complete the line-ups for the 2016 competition season.

Both men’s and ladies Senior Champions France Joubert and Ray Vervynck bowled their way onto the adult teams for the 2016 season. Joubert will be joined by Susan Grande of Winnipeg, MB, Jill Friis from London, On, who won a silver medal at the inaugural Senior World Championships along with Dara Sinclair from Sarnia, ON who will compete at the 2nd Senior World Championships later this summer in Vegas. Vervynck, who won a Bronze medal for the senior men at the first Senior World Championships will be joined by Todd Sim from Belle River, ON, former Team Canada member Fred Phillips of London, On and PBA part-time senior tour member John Chapman of Toronto, ON.

Rounding out the youth boys team with Hupe will be Dylin Hunter, Windsor, ON Nathan Ruest-Lajoie, Cabano, PQ, Jordan Klassen, St. Catharines, ON, and Jakob Bowden, Oshawa, On.

The Canadian Team Trials was held in Oshawa, Ontario at Leisure Lanes May 14 – 18, 2015. In attendance there were 164 bowlers from across the country. The field comprised of 36 senior men, 13 senior ladies, 23 youth men, 19 youth ladies with the remaining 73 men and women bowling for positions on the adult teams. Coaches Michael Boroskae and Tyrel Rose are pictured in the photos with team members from the closing banquet.

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March 1, 2015(Published by the Connection)(Submitted by Catherine Wilbur)

Orvil Lesperance reached the Century mark on January 25, 2015 and still bowls in his weekly bowling league, the Windsor Originals, on Wednesdays at Revs Bowlero.

The week of his birthday celebration, the roads were a wintery mess, but that did not stop him from driving himself to his weekly bowling league. He had some added incentive of a birthday cake and a giant card signed by most of the 280 bowlers from the Windsor Originals league.

Lesperance says his game isn’t what it used to be. He carries a 95 average these days, compared to a high-water mark of 165 at one time.

“He inspires all of us,” said fellow bowler Herb Desjardins. Everybody who bowls against him is amazed. He’s fun to bowl with. Good or bad, he comes back with a smile.”

Bowlero’s Nick Stein says Lesperance is one of the league’s favourites. He’s been a member of the Windsor Originals for 35 years. “You hear a big roar go up when he gets a strike,” Stein said. “You’d think it was a perfect game.”

Bowling is just one of the pastimes enjoyed by the retired Transit Windsor bus driver. He plays cards three times a week with a preference for Euchre and Pepper. He also still plays golf. He is a great-grandfather 12 times over. Lesperance still lives on his own with a little help cutting the grass and house cleaning.

“I feel great,” said the naval veteran who lost his wife of 59 years, Mary Margaret, in 2005. His philosophy of life is not complex. Simply he says, “I’m taking everything one day at a time.”

This just goes to show you that bowling is a sport you can start doing from a very young age and continue on to a very old age.

As with most people who hit such a lofty milestone, the father of four was asked the secret to his longevity. “I drink red wine every day,” he said.

In the championship match Dan bowled local hero Shaker Al Hassan of the UAE in front of a packed crowd at the Zayed Sports City’s Khalifa International Bowling Center. Each player exchanged opens in the second frame but Dan closed with nine consecutive strikes to win the match 256-212.

This is Canada’s six gold medal in World Championships competitions.
In the semifinals, Dan beat top seed Tommy Jones of Team USA 269-236. Al Hassan defeated Australian Sam Cooley 255-212. Cooley and Jones each earned bronze medals.

Tommy Jones led singles qualifying with 1,434 for six games, Cooley was second with 1,428, Al Hassan third at 1,422, and MacLelland fourth with 1,413

The tournament features two different World Bowling Sport lane conditions: 38-foot Atlanta and 43-foot Tokyo. Doubles will be contested on Atlanta, while trios and team competition both will include three games on each pattern.

Each event includes six games of qualifying before the field is narrowed to the top four for the semifinals. All competition is being webcast live on BOWL.com’s BowlTV. For a complete schedule in Eastern time, visit BOWL.com/LiveStream.

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October 09, 2014 (Published by the Connection)

TEAM CANADA SELECTIONS FOR 2015

Canadian Tenpin Federation High Performance Unit announces selections to 2015 Team Canada after a RECORD number of applications were received.

Joining the roster for the 2015 Adult Teams, VALERIE CALBERRY and MIRANDA PANAS for the women and the men’s team will be rounded out with the addition of DAN MACLELLAND and FRANCOIS LAVOIE.

Calberry from Brampton, ON is a two time NCAA All American Champion and a member of the Silver medalist team at this years PABCON Women’s Championships. Val studies in the US, she has bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Dietetics from Nebraska, and she has started her masters of Nutrition & Dietetic Internship at the University of Rhode Island. She will be working closely with team physical development.

Panas who resides in St. Catherine’s, ON has grown through the Canadian Youth Programs and YBT Tour, becoming Youth Female bowler of the year in 2012, and several podium finishes with Jr. Team Canada. Miranda competed at this years PABCON Olympic Festival and the Women’s PABCON Championships, were she came away with Silver medal performances at both venues.

Rounding out the men’s team for 2015 will be World Champion Francois Lavoie, of Quebec City, QC along with PBA standout and PABCON Masters Champion Dan MacLelland of Kitchener, ON.

Lavoie another Canadian Youth Program Champion studies at the University of Wichita, he won the Intercollegiate Singles in 2014, and World Champion in 2013. Francois was sidelined part way through the 2014 season due to health concerns. He is back to full swing at school with the Wichita State Shocker Bowling Team.

MacLelland has become a house hold name in Canadian bowling circles. Dan’s leadership and knowledge continues to strengthen and evolve around the men’s team and Team Canada. PBA standout, PABCON masters champion, and World Games Silver Medalist.

Lavoie and MacLelland will also be joining the 2015 Men’s Team from the top six at Team Trials: David Simard Grandby, QC, Graham Fach Guelph, ON, Christopher Fernandez Toronto, ON, Travis Cauley Hamilton, ON, Brock Finch Stirling, ON and Joe Ciach Mississauga, ON,

Canada’s Bowling Teams have a busy schedule for 2015; including the Pan Am Games coming to Toronto, the Women’s World Championships in the UAE, and the men competing at a PABCON Championships. Jr. Team Canada and Sr. Team Canada schedules will all be announced as dates become finalized.

Team Canada Women’s are headed to Cali, Colombia for the PABCON Championships this week. The venue although important will be a relaxed atmosphere for the team. Canada is one of eight countries who has already qualified for the Pan Am Games, which at this point will feature 14 countries.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Venezuela have also secured spots for next years Pan Am Games in Toronto.

Canada’s squad competing is made up of LYNNE GAUTHIER from Winnipeg, Manitoba, MIRANDA PANAS from St. Catharine’s, Ontario, DANIELLE LEMOINE of Winnipeg, Manitoba, ISABELLE RIOUX from Trios Rivieres, Quebec, SAMANTHA HOW of Calgary, Alberta (living in Portland Oregon), and VALIERE CALBERRY from Brampton, Ontario. Michael Boroskae of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Dr. Pete Usher from Calgary, Alberta will be coaching the team.

There are seven countries competing in the PABCON Women’s Championships that have yet to qualify. With only four spots available from this venue, the following countries will be competing for more than the usual medals; Aruba, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Panama, Puerto Rico and the United States.

The four countries that will qualify from the PABCON Women’s Championships will be determined by taking the combined all-events total of the top two bowlers. From those standings, the top four countries will earn spots in the Pan American Games 2015.

The final two spots in the Pan American Games will come from the Central American Games and the Caribbean Games, which both Canada and the US are not eligible to compete in, though both venues are within the American Zone.

The PABCON Women’s Championships, which begin Saturday and will be carried live on BOWL.com’s BowlTV.

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August 11, 2014 (Published by the Connection)

Hupe & Fach

Junior Team Canada’s Mitch Hupe & Curtis Fachfinish in the top 10 at the 2014 World Youth Championships in Doubles.

Hupe and Fach complete the doubles discipline in 8th position. On the very demanding Mexico City 45′ length pattern. The boys team of Jordan Klassen & Kevin Maurice finished in 35th place.

Curtis Fach is 16 pins out of the Masters Cut with the Team discipline to follow over the next two days.

Crawford & Turcotte

Men’s head coach Tyrel Rose; ” Overall, it was a pretty good day. The results might not have been quite what we’d hoped, but with one team in the top 10 and the others grinding it out admirably, the performance was there. Definitely a learning experience for everyone and hopefully everyone will take this experience and let it make them better, no matter how frustrating it was.”

CHAPMAN FINISHES 4TH AT PBA50 EVENT

Tournament Champion Jack Jurek & John Chapman

Great bowling by Canadian JOHN CHAPMAN from Toronto Ontario at the PBA50 South Shore Open held at Olympia Lanes in Hammond IN.

Finishing in the top 4 John beat 2 HALL OF FAMERS, Norm Duke and Walter Ray Williams to have a chance at the title. John lost to tournament champion Jack Jurek in the round of 4. During qualifying John also bowled (2) 300 games.

Equipment and Specifications – Bowling Ball – Hole Change

There is a significant change to the specifications regarding the number of holes allowed in a bowling ball – in particular, for those who deliver the ball without using their thumb.Item #1 of the specifications has changed significantly. It now states:

The following limitations govern drilling holes in a ball:
1. Holes or indentations for gripping purposes shall not exceed five and shall be limited to one for each finger and one for the thumb, all for the same hand. The player is not required to use all finger holes in any specific delivery, but they must be able to demonstrate, with the same hand, that each gripping hole can be simultaneously used for gripping purposes. Any thumb hole that is not used for gripping purposes during the delivery would be classified as a balance hole.
2. One hole for balance purposes, not to exceed 1-1/4 inch in diameter.
3. One vent hole to each finger and/or thumb hole, not to exceed 1/4 inch in diameter.
4. One mill hole for inspection purposes, not to exceed 5/8 inch in diameter and 1/8 inch in depth.

If a bowler does not use the drilled thumbhole during a release, it is considered to be a balance hole. Item #2 only allows one balance hole on a bowling ball. Therefore, bowlers who deliver the ball without using their thumb (even if only infrequently), but have a thumb-hole drilled, cannot have an additional balance hole in drilled into their ball, because they would in effect, have two balance holes during that delivery, which is now not allowed.
It is important that your association ensure that all bowlers, bowling centres, ball drillers, coaches, league officers, and tournament officials be made aware of this change. Some bowlers may have to modify their existing equipment to conform to this new specification. It is important that they have sufficient lead-time to make modifications to their equipment before the 2014-15 season begins. Of course, ball drillers must be made aware of this as well, so that any bowling balls that they drill will conform to the new specification.
Because this is a major change, CTF has created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, which should help to explain most questions that people may have regarding this new specification. If you would like a copy of the FAQs, please contact Sue at sueleslie@gotenpinbowiling.ca.
It is worth mentioning that the USBC is also implementing this rule effective this coming season, and we anticipate that the major international and world bowling associations, and even the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), will be adopting the same rule shortly.
Please take the necessary steps to ensure that the appropriate people in your area are aware of this change.

LYNNE GAUTHIER CROWNED MASTERS CHAMPION at the Pan American Olympic Festival in Mexico.

Success is not just the crowning moment, the final strike, or the last spare of the game. It is the whole process of reaching for a goal.

Lynne Gauthier, a ten year veteran, and team leader knows and understands the process of reaching goals. This week she and team-mate’s MIRANDA PANAS, doubles bronze medalist, CURTIS FACH and MITCH HUPE pulled together with coach MICHAEL BOROSKAE to work through tough lane conditions. Panas is quoted as saying; “I learned how to never give up!”.

Teamwork is so important that it is virtually impossible to reach goals without becoming very good at it. GREAT TEAMWORK TEAM CANADA!

2014 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

DAVID SIMARD & ISABELLE RIOUX

This is David’s third straight national title, he was a member of the Canadian Team at last years USBC Championships when they bowled the third highest score in the 111 years of the event.
David will be joined by team members Graham Fach, Chris Fernandez, Graham Fach, Brock Finch and Joe Ciach.

World Silver Medalist Rioux has been a leader on Team Canada for eight years and this is her second national title. Isabelle was member of the ladies trios team with Caroline Lagrange and Samantha Wong when they captured silver at last years World Championships. Isabelle with her years of experience continues to be a leader on the Canadian Team with numerous medals from PABCON. Joining Isabelle on the team for the ladies will be Lynne Gauthier, Robin Orlikowski, Carrie Hopkinson, Felicia Wong and Kodee Pilling.

Two male bowlers and two female bowlers will be added to the teams through selection. Selections will be announced at a later date.

GETTING TO KNOW THE PRES!
Brian Von Richter was voted in as president of the Canadian Tenpin Federation when Cathy Innes retired after nine years at the helm.

When did you get elected? “I took office August 1, 2013 and up to this point it has been an incredible experience! This position came sooner than expected. At first I wasn’t completely sure what my duties were as president, and I asked myself if I was ready or prepared. Cathy did so much work behind the scenes that no one ever saw, and her mentorship has helped. In the future a longer mentorship term would be beneficial.”

Not many people across the country know you, why? “I’m not sure why, I have been to every AGM since 2005 as a delegate, and as a director since 2007. I haven’t been to many provincial, national or international events, but that will change now. I have been working behind the scenes with Coach Development. This year I attended my first AGM as president in Montreal where I had to opportunity to mingle with people from across the country.”

What are your official duties as president of the CTF? “Be the face of CTF at provincial, national and international events. This weekend alone I’ve had the opportunity to work with World Bowling president Kevin Dornberger, PABCON president Martin Faba Castro along with Pan Am personal. There is a lot of experience within the mentioned group and I have learned so much. At our board level, it is important that I make sure our directors work together as a team and we stay on task.”
What is your vision for the CTF?
“To educate our registered participants (membership) so there is a mutual respect at all levels.” What do you mean by respect at all levels? “Our registered participants have the feeling they do not get what they deserve from the CTF, and it isn’t for lack of trying at the National level.”

Do you think if the National and Local levels work closer together it will help?
“Yes for sure, we each need to open up communication, and be fully accountable at all levels.”

What qualifications do you bring to your new position?
“My management skills as president of the Community Recreation Assoc. I also worked as a professional hair stylist and ran my own business while being appointed chair for the Professional Hair Stylist Assoc. I have thirty years experience volunteering at the educational level and political platforms. I have coached both soccer and softball and I was Vice President of our High School parents music assoc. I believe I have good communication skills, which will benefit me in this position.”

What are your immediate goals for the CTF?
“First item is to see our Youth Program grow in a unified direction. Secondly increase our registered participants.”

“MORE PARTICIPANTS MEANS MORE MONEY WHICH MEANS MORE BENEFITS FOR OUR BOWLERS” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
April 16, 2014 (Published by the Connection)

FORMER TEAM CANADA MEMBER GRAHAM FACH SETS A BLAZING PACE AT USBC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

RENO, Nev. – From the time his flight landed in Reno on Tuesday morning, Graham Fach of Guelph, Ontario who studies at Urbana University, was on the move, and that included a quick stop at his hotel, a to-go order at Denny’s, a quick march down Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium and a record-performance at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships. The 22-year-old left-hander barely had time to look around and admire the grandeur of the NBS before hitting the lanes at the one-of-a-kind venue for the first time, and three hours later, he polished off the ninth perfect game and first 800 series of the 2014 event. Fach rolled games of 290, 246 and 300 for an 836 series and helped Donovan’s Bunch of Painted Post, N.Y., to games of 1,223, 1,116 and 1,212 for a 3,551 team total, the second-highest score in 111 years of USBC Open Championships history. Motion Plus Lanes of Cudahy, Wis., leads Regular Team this year with a record score of 3,561. “My first shot was a split, and there were some butterflies early on,” said Fach, a past member of Team Canada, who started his Open Championships career with a six-count split before striking on 31 of his next 34 shots. “I was definitely feeling the nerves in the 10th frame. I was trying to slow down, create a good tempo and keep the rhythm.” When he stepped up in the final frame, Fach not only had the pressure of trying to become the 34th bowler in history with a 300 and 800 on the championship lanes, he also needed all three strikes to keep his team in contention for the lead. After he delivered, the pressure fell on former Junior Team USA member and collegiate All-American, Chris Via, who could’ve struck out to break the record by a single pin. Via struck on his first shot but left a 2 pin on his second offering. “Chris threw great shots all day,” Fach said. “As a team, we bowled fantastic – a lot better than we could’ve thought when we came out to bowl. The fact that we were this close, just feels amazing.”
Four of the five team members were Open Championships first-timers, in town to compete in the XBowling Intercollegiate Singles and Team Championships, but hoping to have some fun and competitive practice, too.
James Tucker, who bowls with Fach at Urbana University, added a 757 series for Donovan’s Bunch and was followed by Notre Dame-Ohio’s Via (755) and Kevin Donovan (642) and Donovan’s father, Mike, a 17-time tournament participant (561). “I’ve been anchoring the college team for four years now, so I’ve definitely been in that situation before,” Via said. “The first shot was really good, but on the second shot, I just got fast and missed right a little bit. I’m definitely still happy with the score we put up here.” Minutes after nearly making history in their tournament debut, the group hustled across town to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for the Night of Champions banquet celebrating the 2013-14 USBC Collegiate bowling season. Fach and Tucker both will be competing in the Intercollegiate Team Championships this week, while Via is one of four semi-finalists still in contention at the Intercollegiate Singles Championships.
Both events will wrap up Friday with the final rounds being taped for broadcast on CBS Sports Network in May. “This is incredible,” Via said. “We kind of threw this team together at the last minute with college nationals being out here. We scrambled some guys together just to get a team in. We just wanted to have some fun, but to put up a big number – it was a lot of fun.”

YBOWL ROGERS CUP

BARRIE, ONTARIO – The Hambone Hi-Rollers became the 1st team to win the YBOWL ROGERS TV Cup Championships on Saturday April 12 2014. Coached by (former) Team Canada member, Melissa Legault, the team of Karley Foster, Dylin Hunter, Kyle Molto, Lucas Holland & Curtis Fach earned their victory over the Coverstock Chameleons by a mere 2 pins.After 18 games of qualifying and 8 games of semi’s the stage was set for the final 4 teams: Hambone Hi-Rollers, sponsored by PATENE BUIDLING SUPPLIES; Chameleon Coverstocks, sponsored by LEISURE LANES; Pin Strikers, sponsored by BOWLERS ON A ROLL & BOWLERAMA ROYALE and Kickback Crankers, sponsored by SANDERS RECREATION & FITNESS. The final match was an intense, nail biting made for TV showdown. The outcome was determined by a two-game total pinfall match. The Hambone Hi-Rollers quickly had a lead on the Chameleon Crankers by 29 pins, however, game 2 was a different story. Down to the last frame, Taylor Maxner needed a double (two strikes) and a 9 count to win the title. Maxner who is no stranger to pressure buried the first two strikes. Silence in the centre, all eyes and the camera on Maxner, his knees quivering, Maxner threw the ball a little light and came up short with a 6 count, leaving the Hambone Hi-Rollers with a 2 pin victory. Disappointed, Maxner said the shot looked good just came in a little light, but was happy with the team’s performance.

ROGERS TV sponsored the event where 90 athletes from across Southern Ontario & Quebec participated for scholarship awards. Each team was sponsored by a local company and was coached by either a Team Canada member, Hall of Famer or Pro Bowler. Open ceremonies included Town Crier, Steve Travers; MP Patrick Brown; Mayor Jeff Lehman concluding with local Barrie band Beyond Haven singing our National Anthem. Although Canada’s own PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) Dan MacLelland’s (Kitchener, Ontario) team did not make the semi-finals, Dan offered his assistance to local Barrie bowler, Zachary Wilkins with commentating the final matches. Over 300 spectators were on hand to witness the intense nail biting made for TV final match. YBOWL offered live streaming throughout the day which captured over 2500 viewers. Over $3000.00 in scholarship awards were paid out to the winning teams.

YBOWL promotes & supports youth bowlers across Canada with their educational & athletic goals. Through the support of sponsors and advertisers, YBOWL brings exciting events, training opportunities, with a strong focus on scholarship awards for post secondary education.

CANADIANS EXCEL AT INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Team Canada member Caitlin Tam in her first year at Wichita State University has been awarded the Academic All-American Award for her outstanding GPA. “Well Done Caitlin”

Rising star DJ Rose from Windsor Ontario, attending Concordia University in his freshman year qualified for the top 24 of match play at the intercollegiate championships. DJ lost in his first round but said the experience was rewarding and he learned a lot.
“Way to Go DJ”

Team Canada member Francois Lavoie from Quebec is in his second year at Wichita State University and qualified for the top 4 and the TV show. Francois bowl +152 during qualifying. Francois continues to be a dominate athlete with Team Can
ada and WSU.

CONGRATULATIONS MITCH HUPE ON WINNING THE “GRAYSON LYNN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP” The scholarship is awarded annually (or each semester) to a selected student of the bowling team at Wichita State University. The scholarship is awarded to a selected team member, who is a business major maintaining a minimum 3.0 grade average. Each recipient should demonstrate outstanding leadership, while following the bowling program philosophy by working, learning, and being loyal. ****************************************************************************March 1, 2014 (Published by the Connection)

CTF BOWLERS OF THE YEAR Youth – Adult – Senior

The Canadian Tenpin Federation has released the Bowler of the Year selections for 2013. From Winnipeg, Manitoba Brittany Crawford was named as Youth Girls Bowler of the Year, and also from Winnipeg, Mitch Hupe holds the honor for the Youth Boys.Brittany, who attends Urban University in Ohio, won a bronze medal at the PABCON Youth Championships with team members Mykaela Mitchell, and Miranda Panas in the Trios discipline. Brittany also competed at the Tournament of the America’s and won several medals with team members Shaune Pine, Mitch Hupe and Jordan Klassen. Brittany is a multi-time member of Youth Team Canada. Mitch studies at Wichita State University in Kansas, has been a member of Youth Team Canada 2013 and 2014, and is also a member of the 2014 Adult Team Canada. He was also named the 2012 Bowler of the Year. Mitch won Gold and Silver medals for Intermediate Boys at the Canadian Youth Championships (CYC) in Singles and All Events. During the Canadian Team Trials, Mitch led the boys team to a first-place finish and reached the podium two times at the National Youth Bowling Championships (YBC). Internationally, Mitch won a bronze medal at the PABCON Youth Championships with team members Francois Lavoie, and Kevin Maurice in the Boys Trios discipline, and also won a bronze medal in the Masters discipline. Mitch also won several medals as a member of the Youth Team at the Tournament of the Americas in Florida. Bowler of the Year honors for the Adult Team Canada went to Caroline Lagrange and Dan MacLelland, both long time members of the national teams programs.Caroline, who has been named female Bowler of the Year eight different years, has two World Cup Championship titles, along with winning the National Team Trials five consecutive years, has been a leader and Canadian Ambassador with Team Canada since 2001. Caroline won the 49th World Cup in 2013 along with a Silver Medal at the Women’s World Championships with team members Samantha Wong How and Isabelle Rioux for the ladies Trios discipline.Dan competed at the World Games in Cali where he along with teammate Lynne Gauthier won a Silver medal in Mixed Doubles. Dan who is a full time touring pro on the PBA and World Bowling Tour and had three TV appearances during the 2013 season. Dan also competed at the Men’s World Championships held in 2013.Sharon Tataryn and Claude L’Ecuyer have been named as Senior Bowlers of the Year by the Canadian Tenpin FederationSharon competed at the Inaugural Senior World Championships in 2013. Sharon brought international experience to the team as a five time Team Canada member. Sharon had knee replacement done a couple years ago and feels she has rebounded well. Once she finalized a position on the Senior Team Sharon says; “I got that competitive spirit back, “it pumped me up!” Her competitive spirit came in the form of a Silver medal in the Team discipline with teammates, Cathy Harvey, France Joubert, and Jill Friis. Sharon also qualified for the Masters Finals and won a Bronze medal.Claude is no stranger to international competition, he has been a member of Senior Team Canada for several years. In 2013 Claude competed at the Senior PABCON Championships in Costa Rica where he and doubles teammate Claude LeBlanc won a Silver medal in the doubles discipline. Claude also qualified for the Masters finals and won a Bronze medal.

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January 12, 2014 (Published by the Connection)

UP CLOSE WITH FRANCOIS LAVOIE

CIBC Team Next recipient Francois Lavoie is one of the 67 athletes from multiple sports selected for the Program. The program will offer each of the 67 athletes selected the following; • A $5,000 annual grant for the next three years ($15,000 total) • Mentorship from prominent Canadian athletes: Simon Whitfield, Kara Lang, Josh Cassidy, Mary Spencer, Mark de Jonge and Bruny Surin • Workshops and advice on personal finances, post-secondary and career planning, social media training and public speaking • Exclusive access to the CIBC Team Next idea sharing forum • Community support and networking opportunities through the local CIBC branches and employees in their home community • Preferred CIBC products and services Majoring in Business Administration at Wichita State University Francois has been on Youth Team Canada 2010, 11, 13, and 14, he was a member of the Men’s Trios Gold Medal Team at the World Championships in Vegas earlier this year and has been selected to the Men’s Team Canada 2014. Between school studies, bowling on the university team, bowling on Team Canada and tournaments, Francois’s schedule is very full, but we were fortunate to catch up with him in November and ask him a few questions after the CIBC Team Next announcement. Q. When did you start bowling? How did you get started? A. I started bowling at the age of two. My dad used to bowl in a league, and he would take me to the bowling center with him. He would get me a lane next to him and that’s how I started bowling. I started bowling in competitions at around 8-9 years old Q. When did you get good at bowling? A. That’s a tough question. I got good compared to my peers probably at around 8-9, when I started bowling in competitions. I was usually successful in those, and the love of competition and the love of winning made me continue. However, I think I really got good when I came to Wichita State at 18 years old. I learned so much about the game so quickly, and I was able to apply new concepts to my game rather easily. Q. When you finish school do you plan to bowl full time? Can you make a living at it? A. When I get done with school, I would love to be able to bowl full time. It is possible to make a decent living doing it if you are successful, but not very many people can. That is why I am currently in school. There is a lot of unknown with bowling, and I feel that having a solid degree will at least give me a solid base to rely on in case bowling does not work out. Q. Very few bowlers have ever been chosen for Sport Canada / CIBC from all the sports and applicant’s only 67 athletes were chosen, what does this mean for you? The financial support will definitely come in handy. Not only do I have school to pay for, but there are also many expenses related to traveling around the country and around the world. The sponsorship will help pay for these costs and take some of the financial stress away from my shoulders. Q. What’s in the future for you? A. In the near future, I will be focusing on training and tournaments with Wichita State University. On a more long term base, there will be many tournaments over the summer. The Canadian National Championships are in May, the World Youth Championships are in August, and another tournament to be determined with the men’s national team. The Connection would like to thank Francois for taking time out of his very busy schedule to answer our questions, we leave our readers with a quote from Francois after being notified of his selection to Team Canada 2014;

“I am obviously very excited to be a part of Team Canada again this year, and the support from everyone does not go unnoticed. It means a lot. I am aware that many would like to have the opportunity I am given. Know that being on Team Canada is an honor I do not take lightly. For that reason I am ready to work hard again this year and continue to build on what our team established last year. I have been told to express myself more, so I did. Thanks everyone!”

******************************************************** November 13, 2013 (Published by the Connection)

CTF High Performance Unit Releases the names of

Selections to the 2014 National Team

The Canadian Tenpin Federation High Performance division has made the choices of the two men and women who will complete the rosters of Team Canada for 2014. The top six men and six women from the Canadian National Championships plus two additional men and women, who apply for the positions, will represent Canada at international venues in 2014.The women selected are Danielle Lemoine (Left) of Winnipeg, MB and Miranda Panas (Right) of St. Catharines, ON. Joining the team for the men will be Francois Lavoie (Left) from Quebec City, QC and Dan MacLelland (Right) of Montreal, QC. Lavoie and MacLelland are former Team Canada members, while Panas and Lemoine have competed on Youth Team Canada. They will join the following players who earned their position at the 2013 National Championships:Women: Caroline Lagrange, St. Leonard, QC; Lynne Gauthier, Winnipeg, MB; Jo-Ann Sanesac, Napierville, QC; Isabelle Rioux, Trois Rivieres, QC; Val Calberry Brampton, ON; Samantha How formerly from Calgary, Alberta and now living in Oregon City, OR.Men: David Simard, Granby, QC; Mark Buffa, Montreal, QC; Jonathan Simoneau, Lousieville, QC; Mitch Hupe, Winnipeg, MB; Ray Vervynck, Whitby, ON; Brock Finch, Stirling, ON.International competitions for 2014 include;

Tyrel Rose of Montreal, QC is men’s Head Coach while Mike Boroskae of Winnipeg, MB will coach the women. Both coaches will also be assuming head coach roles of Youth Team Canada; Boroskae will coach the Youth Girls Team while Rose will coach the Youth Boys Team. Damien Skelling has retired as Youth Boys coach and Christina Littlejohn will be away on pregnancy leave.
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October 29, 2013 (Published by the Connection)

Seniors Set Blistering Pace

Canada’s senior team performances at International bowling venues are setting a new pace for bowlers of all national teams. The PABCON Senior Championships in Costa Rica have just come to a close and this year Canadian senior bowlers proved again to be very successful on the lanes.The men’s team captured both Gold and Silver in the doubles discipline, with Michael Lesage, Trois-Rivieres QC and Donald Lee of Scarborough ON winning the gold, while Claude L’Ecuyer, Napierville QC and Claude LeBlanc of Trios Rivers QC capped off the silver. The teams qualified three bowlers for the top sixteen of the Masters finals; for the ladies Debbie Ip of Edmonton AB along with Donald Lee and Claude L’Ecuyer. L’Ecuyer battled his way through match play of the masters to a bronze podium performance by winning his final match by a mere four pins.Since bowling leaders incorporated a “Senior Division” into the PABCON and this year’s inaugural WTBA World Senior Championships, Canadian Seniors have proven to be competitive and successful. This year at the inaugural WTBA World Senior Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada Canadian team members Ray Vervynck of Whitby, Ontario and Jack Brace of Tyrone, Ontario won the first ever senior world medals for Canada by capturing a bronze in the men’s doubles discipline.

The ladies team captured the prestigious team silver with team members Jill Friis, London ON, Sharon Tataryn, Winnipeg MB, Cathy Harvey, Barrier ON, and France Joubert, Quebec City QC. During the World Championships the ladies team qualified three bowlers for the top sixteen Masters Finals; Sharon Tataryn, Jill Friis and Cathy Harvey, while Jack Brace qualified for the men. Tataryn a former adult Team Canada member completed the grueling master’s match play finals with a bronze medal.In 2011, at the first PABCON Senior Championships held in Colombia, the senior men’s team medalled in every discipline but singles and bowled their way to winning the ever so tough team gold. Team members were Jack Brace, Claude L’Ecuyer, Donald Lee and Richard Lafleur of Quebec.

The ladies team had a bronze podium finish for the trios discipline with team members Sherry Hobson, Winnipeg MB, Elizabeth Wong, Calgary AB and Debbie Ip.Several members of the senior teams are former national Team Canada members while others are not and to say the Senior Teams are setting a pace that is blistering is a bit of an understatement. These teams never have a training camp, for many the first time they see each other is when they arrive at the venue and each has to cover costs of some kind.

The senior teams are setting an example we all can follow, they take pride in representing our country, along with being accountable and fending for each other. (TEAM WORK AT ITs BEST!) They appreciate any and all coaching! Each gives one hundred percent and they have fun! Thank you each and everyone for the time and effort you have put forth to represent our country.

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October 25, 2013 (Courtsey of Bowling Digital)

PABCON NewsMartin Faba Castro of Costa Rica becomes the new PABCON PresidentThe Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON) has elected a new Executive Committee on October 19 during the Ordinary Congress in San José, Costa Rica. Martin Faba Castro (pictured left) of Costa Rica has been unanimously elected as the new PABCON president by the delegates from 17 countries. The new Executive Committee will take office 30 days after the election for a four-year term (2013-2017). Martin Faba Castro replaces Jose Guandique (right) of El Salvador, who retires after eight years as president of the WTBA American Zone. Guandique,

President of the Salvadoran Bowling Federation, was unanimously appointed PABCON Honorary Life President. On behalf of PABCON, Gunadique will be responsible for manging the international relationship between the association and the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), the Association of Pan American Sports Confederations (ACODEPA) and the Toronto Pan American Games – 2015. “I think it is the right time for a new leadership to take on this role and continue to promote and guide the development of our Confederation and I urge to do so with passion and dedication as we have done in the course of the past eight years”, Guandique said in his farewell address. “I am very proud of the work we have done and satisfied with the achievements and the progress made during my presidency.” President-elect Martin Faba Castro confirmed his commitment to continue the programs and projects in place and to team with the new board to ensure the development and progress of Pan American Bowling Confederation. The new PABCON Executive Committee consists of:

Canada’s senior doubles Team of MICHEL LESAGE, DONALD LEE and CLAUDE LABLANC, CLAUDE L’ECUYER win GOLD and SILVER at the PABCON Senior Championships in Costa Rica. Bronze went to Mexico’s Manuel Garcia Golzar and Carlos Castro.Canadian senior women’s (Photo L-R) DEBBIE IP, SUSAN GRANDE. LORRAINE FAST and MARION MARKOCoaching the senior team is Lucien Casagrande of Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Photo L. Lucien Middle)CTF personal on site are High Performance Manager Cathy Innes and CTF President Brian Von Richter. Senior PABCON Championships taking place in Costa Rica, the event is running from October 19th to 26th. The Costa Rican Association confirmed 13 nations are in attendance at Cariari Bowl with the participation of 152 senior and super senior bowlers over the age of 50 years.Senior bowlers are bowling events for singles, doubles, trios and teams with the top 16 advancing to the Masters finals. Super senior bowlers are competing in singles, mixed doubles, mixed team with the top 8 advancing to Masters Finals.Countries competing are Aruba, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Panama, Venezuela, and host country Costa Rica.During the tournament the leaders of the American Zone will conduct meetings for the PABCON organization at which time elections will be held and those elected to the board will hold a four year term. Canada’s Cathy Innes has been elected to the board. As news is released of the board members we will update the bowling community. ………………………………………………………………………………………..

October 3, 2013 (Published by the CTF Connection)

Coaching Association of Canada and Petro-Canada

2013 Petro Canada Coaching Excellence Awards

The Canadian Tenpin Federation, on behalf of the Coaching Association of Canada and Petro-Canada, is pleased to announce that Team Canada Coaches Michael Boroskae and Tyrel Rose were selected as recipients of the 2013 Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award for their athletes’ medal-winning performances this year.Michael Boroskae, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, coached Canada for ten years from (1985 to 1995) and during that time, coached both men and women to numerous medal showings, but the most memorable are Canada’s first World Masters gold medal in 1991 with Catherine Willis, and a gold medal in the Trios discipline with Ann Saasto, Jane Amlinger and Catherine Willis. Again, under the leadership of Boroskae, Canada emerged with another first, a gold medal in 1993 with Sandy Lowe winning the North American FIQ Masters and the women’s team brought home seven medals.From 1995 to 1998, Michael pursued a coaching position with Singapore International Coaching Program, and as Director of Coaching; he improved the National Ranking for the Sport of Tenpin Bowling from 20th place in 1995 to “Top Sport” for Singapore by 1997.Michael has been at the helm of the Canadian women’s team since 2010 and the women have won medals in both the 2011 and 2013 World Championships. In 2013, he also coached the Inaugural Senior World Championships this year in Las Vegas where the team emerged with two Bronze and one Silver medal.Tyrel Rose, of Montreal, Quebec, is a former member of Team Canada (2004 and 2005) in which he won a silver and bronze medal. He was a youth bowler until 2002 and the next year returned to the youth as a volunteer coach. He retired from elite competition in 2008 to pursue his true passion — coaching

Photo: (L) Dr. Peter Usher (M) Tyrel Rose

Tyrel worked his way through the coaching system, gaining valuable experience as an assistant at several different international venues, and in 2012 he coached the Senior Pan American Bowling Confederation Championships where the men’s team won gold in the team discipline. Also that same year, while acting as head coach under the guidance of soon- to-retire head coach Lucien Casagrande, the men won the trios event with Dan MacLelland winning the prestigious Masters Event at the Pan American Bowling Confederation Championships in Las Vegas.Tyrel became head coach of the men’s team in 2013, and he has installed a new system for training camps, team values, player evaluation and accountability. At this year’s World Championships, the Canadian men’s trio of Mark Buffa, Francois Lavoie and Patrick Girard took home the Gold medal in the Trios discipline. For the Canadian men’s team, this is the first World-level medal in 20 years, and non-singles medal for the men, at any WTBA world event since the modern format was installed in the 1980’s.Even though Tyrel is heavily involved at the high-performance level, he continues to get up every Saturday morning to work with youth bowlers at the local bowling league where he started bowling 27 years ago.Congratulations to both men! This year’s awards are being held at Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta on November 8, 2013 and will be attended by sport leaders and coaches from across the country ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… September 23, 2013 (Published by the CTF Connection)

2012-2013 Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards

Head coaches Tyrell Rose, and Michael Boraskae have been nominated for the 2012-2013 Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards by the CTF High Performance Unit after the men’s team of Mark Buffa, Francois Lavoie, and Patrick Girard won Gold at this year’s World Championships. While the ladies team of Caroline Lagrange, Samantha Wong-How, and Isabelle Rioux won Silver in the ladies trios. These prestigious awards recognize coaches whose athletes excelled at world championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games, and at the Special Olympics World Games. The Coaching Association of Canada and Petro-Canada honour these recipients before their peers at the annual Sport Leadership Awards ceremony, during the Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif conference, November 7 – 9 in Calgary, AB. Coaches whose Canadian athletes or teams win gold, silver, or bronze medals while competing in an Open World Championship, the Olympic Games, the Special Olympics World Games, or the Paralympic Games are eligible for this award. Only coaches of athletes/teams in a recognized National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) sport are eligible. Full details can be found here http://www.coach.ca/2012-2013-petro-canada-coaching-excellence-awards-p143521

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September 19, 2013 (Published by CTF Connection)

The High Performance Unit of the Canadian Tenpin Federation nominates six national team members for the CIBC Team Next Program.As Lead Partner for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am / Parapan Am Games, CIBC is committed to helping create a lasting sport legacy in Canada. That’s why they have developed CIBC Team Next: a $2 million program and the first of its kind in Canada, to help the next generation of young athletes realize their dreams. Over the next three years, CIBC Team Next will support 67 deserving young athletes from communities like yours, to help them reach their full potential. Each of the 67 athletes chosen for CIBC Team Next will receive:

$5,000 annual grant over the next three years (total of $15,000) leading up to the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games and through 2016.

CIBC products and services.

Mentorship from a prominent Canadian athlete who has achieved success on the world stage.

Workshops and advice in the areas of: personal finances, post-secondary and career planning, social media training, public speaking and more.

Exclusive access to a CIBC Team Next forum where they can share their experiences and get support from parents, coaches and other athletes

Silver Medalist Ladies Trios teams from the WTBA 2013 World Championships Caroline Lagrange, SamanthaWong-How, and Isabelle Rioux have been nominated for the CIBC Team Next Program.The men’s Gold Medal Trios Team of Mark Buffa, Francois Lavoie, and Patrick Girard have also been nominated for the CIBC program. We want to wish all our athletes the best of luck. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

August 27, 2013, Published by CTF Connection (Photos & Story courtsey of bowlingdigital.com)

In the most dramatic finale of the 2013 World Championships so far, the Korean’s RyuSeo-Yeon, Lee Na-Young and Son Yun-Hee (left) celebrated a last-minute victory over their Canadian opponents Samantha How, Isabelle Rioux and Caroline Lagrange (right) en route to win the gold medal in Women’s Trios Monday at Sunset Station’s Strike Zone

Though it were the top seeded Koreans, who had chosen to bowl on the 33-feet short oil pattern (Sydney), Singles World Champion Ryu and her team mate Son struggled and opened twice in the first seven frames on the very challenging condition, but Lee kept the hopes for the second gold medal of the championships alive with four-bagger in frames 5-8. Rioux had a four-bagger in frames 3 thru 6 and Lagrange struck on five of her first six shots for the Canadians, who were targeting a sweep of the gold medals in Trios after the men’s victory yesterday. They took the lead in the third frame and widened it to 34 pins heading into the last two frames, but the match was far from being over. Only one player on each side struck in the 9th frame (Rioux and Son), but due to an open frame by How, the Koreans narrowed the gap to 17 pins. Rioux got away with Brooklyn strike on her first shot in the 10th, but Ryu countered with a double.How and Lee marked in the last frame which put a lot of pressure on Son as she definitely needed the first strike and even to strike out to force Lagrange to throw strike-spare for a 598-598 tie. When Son got a strike on her first shot, Lagrange stepped on the approach and calmly rolled the ball in the pocket … but got a disastrous 7-10 split. As she was unable to convert the split, Son needed a nine-count on her next shot to win by one pin. She left a solid 10 and spared it for a two-pin victory. …………………………………………………………………………………………..

August 25, 2013, Published by CTF Connection (Photos courtsey of bowlingdigital.com)

CANADA’S MEN HIT GOLD AFTER 18 YEARSCanada’s Mark Buffa, Francois Lavoie and Patrick Girard (pictured left, l-r) of Canada defeated two teams from tenpin bowling powerhouses United States and Korea on their way to capture the gold medal in Men’s Trios at the World Championships in the Las Vegas area. In the title match, the Canadians fired a big game to defeat Koreans Choi Bok-Eum, Cho Young-Seon and Kim Jun-Yung (right, r-l), 721-601.

Buffa started with the front nine before left a 6-pin on his first ball in the 10th. He struck on his fill ball for 279. Lavoie also struck 10 times en route to a 258 game. He left a super wash-out in the first frame (1-2-4-6-10) which resulted in an open, reeled off four consecutive strikes, spared a 10-pin in frame six and went off the sheet. Girard, who suffered three open frames, contributed 184, but the Canadians put the match away well before the final frame. This is the second gold medal for the Canadian men in the history of WTBA World Championships and both came in Nevada. Marc Doi won the first gold medal for Canada in Men’s Singles at the 1995 Championships in Reno and set a record at that time. “Our motto at training camp earlier this year was to raise the bar, and I think we’ve done that,” Buffa said. “This is a great win for our country and shows that some of the changes we have made to our national team have really paid off.”

The action shifts to the conclusion of the women’s trios event Monday at the World Championships. All rounds of the World Championships are being broadcast live on BOWL.com’s BowlTV.

For more information on the WTBA World Championships, visit BOWL.com/World2013. …………………………………………………………………………………………………

USA 1, Canada, Colombia and USA 2 hold the top four spots as the men’s trios have completed the first block on short oil;

The second block and the medal round on long oil will follow on Sunday Squad 1 leaders Bill O’Neill, Tommy Jones and Chris Barnes of the United States held on to the lead as the Men’s Trios event has reached its halfway mark at the World Championships in the Las Vegas area. The multiple world champions toppled 2040 pins and averaged 226.67 on the 33-feet Sydney pattern. Barnes, who won Doubles title Wednesday, led the way with 705. Jones contributed 685 pins and O’Neill, who won his second consecutive gold medal in Singles earlier this week, added 650. The Americans held a 48-pin lead over Canada and Colombia, who were tied for second place at 1992 (221.33 average).

Mark Buffa, Francois Lavoie and Patrick Girard (right, l-r) rolled games of 694, 605 and 693 to lead the second squad on Friday afternoon. Girard led the team with 698, Buffa had 672 and Lavoie added 622.

Colombia’s Edward Rey, Oscar Rodriguez and Santiago Mejia, who remained in second place with 1992 and an average of 221.33. Rodrigues posted a 786 series (262 average), the highest three-game block on short oil of the Championships so far. The second U.S. trio featuring John Janawicz, Mike Fagan and John Szczerbinski took the early lead in Squad 2 with a huge 742 game, but fell out of the top four behind a sub-par 555 in game two. The Americans rebounded with a 678 game powered by Szczerbinski’s 287, to finish second in Squad 2 and fourth overall with 1975 (219.44). ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The World Tenpin Bowling Association World Championships is running from Aug. 16 thru 31, 2013 at Sunset Station’s Strike Zone in Henderson, Nev. in the Las Vegas area. This is a combined men’s and women’s event for the first time since 2003, when the tournament was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Championships will award medals in six disciplines – Singles, Doubles, Trios, Team, All Events and Masters. Qualifying in Singles, Doubles, Trios and Team consists of six games.

The top 4 advance to the one-game semifinals. The winners will advance to the one-game gold medal match. The entire competition will be broadcast live on BOWL.com’s BowlTV. Bowling fans will be able to watch live and on demand for free. The schedule is available at BOWL.com/LiveStream.

The championship will be contested on the 33-feet Sydney and the 39-feet Seoul lane conditioning pattern. There are 438 players, 216 men and 212 women, from 44 countries. Competition got underway Monday, Monday, August 19, with the men’s Singles qualifying and finals on the short pattern (Sydney). The women bowl their Singles event on Tuesday. Action shifts to the Doubles event on Wednesday (men) and Thursday (women), which will be contested on the long pattern (Seoul). The men will return Friday for the first three-game block of the Trios qualifying on short oil. The women will follow on Saturday. The second block on long oil and the semi-finals and finals in the men’s division take place on Sunday. In each of the playoffs, the higher-seed has the right to choose the pattern. The women determine their Trios champion on Monday. The competition resumes with the qualifying of the prestigious five-player Team event. Men and women will bowl the first block of three games on the short pattern on Tuesday followed by the second block on the long pattern on Wednesday. Medals are also given in All-Events with the total pinfall of the foregoing 24 games of qualifying in Singles, Doubles, Trios and Team determining the medalists.

The top 24 men and women in All-Events will advance to the Masters finals on Thursday and Friday afternoon. The Masters will be played on dual lane conditions, with the left lane dressed with the longer oil-pattern and the right lane dressed with the shorter oil-pattern. All 24 players will bowl six games with the All-Events total carried forward. The top 8 after 24 games advance to seven games of round robin match play, where 20 bonus points are awarded for a won match and 10 bonus points for a tied match. The top four players with the highest 37-game total including bonus points will play two semi-finals over one game ; the highest positioned in Step 2 vs. the fourth highest positioned in Step 2 and the second highest (No. 1 meets No. 4 and No. 2 bowls No. 3). The winners advance to the championship match to determine the Masters champion in a one game final. The 2013 combined adult World Championships will conclude Friday, Aug. 30, with the women’s and men’s Team finals. The World Tenpin Bowling Association, which is made up of 112 bowling federations, governs the sport throughout the world. For more information on WTBA, visit WorldTenpinBowling.com. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

August 16, 2013, Published by CTF Connection (Photos and News courtsey of Bowling Digital)

Silver Lining for Canadian Women.

Sweden, traditionally a power house in team bowling, swept the men’s and women’s Team gold medals in the inaugural World Senior Championships Thursday morning at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Swedish women, seeded third for the playoffs, defeated the top-seeded Canadians, Cathy Harvey, France Joubert, Sharon Tataryn and Jill Friis, in the title match, 827-679, to claim the gold medal.

The Sweedish men team took down Senior Team USA, 903-816, to give Sweden its third gold medal of the championships.

The women’s title match wasn’t decided before the last two frames. The Swedes had a 64-pin lead after five frames but the Canadians narrowed the gap for a final showdown. While Canada (left) opened four times in their 9th and 10th frames, Olsson doubled,for Sweden while Larsson-Carlsson had a four bagger, and Sulkanen three strikes in the 10th and Carlsson closed with three strikes and a 9 for 253 to seal the victory

WTBA World Championships

The WTBA World Championships will be held from August 16-31, 2013 at Sunset Station’sStrike Zone bowling center, a 72-laner in Henderson, Nev., in suburban Las Vegas, United States.

The Championships will be hosted by four partners: the World Tenpin Bowling Association, the United States Bowling Congress, Station Casinos and the City of Henderson, USA. For the first time since 2003 in Malaysia, the men will bowl alongside the women in a World Championship.

The field will consist of 36 men’s and 36′ women teams with maximum six players each. Eight teams plus host country United States will come from the Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON).The Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) will be represented by 12 teams and 15 teams qualified from the European Tenpin Bowling Federation

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August 15, 2013, Published by CTF Connection (Photo and News courtsey of Bowling Digital)

Canadian Senior Team Canada Women finish qualifying in first place in the four-player team event at the World Senior Championships. Our Canadian Team set the pace in the women’s division with 2382 (198.50 avg.) in the first half and bettered that average during the second half with 2407 (200.53) (Total 4789) (Photo L-R) Jill Friis, France Joubert, Cathy Harvey, and Sharon Tataryn rolled games of 805, 818 and 759 on the 40-feet Athens lane conditioning pattern to set the pace in the women’s division with 2382 total and an average of 198.50.

During the second set of team Canadian ladies rolled games of 809, 833, and 765 on the 35-feet Beijing lane pattern to maintain the lead in the ladies division with 2407 and an average of 200.53 In the women’s division Team USA finished qualifying in second place with (4654) follow by Team Sweden in third position (4638) and Team Australia rounding out the top four with (4516).Top four teams in the men’s division are Team Sweden in first place with (5287), Team USA (5011), Team Puerto Rico (4956) and Team Mexico with (4920).Three of Team Canada ladies have qualified for the Masters, Jill Friis finished in 5th position of All Events, and Sharon Tataryn finished in 11th with Cathy Harvey in 14th position.

For the men Jack Brace qualified for the Masters in 10th position of the men’s division.The top 4 teams square off in the semifinals and finals on Thursday morning. The higher seeded teams have the right to determine the pattern. Medals are also given in All-Events with the 18-game total of the foregoing 18 games of the qualifying in Singles, Doubles and Team determining the medalists. The top 24 men and women in All-Events will advance to the Masters finals which will conclude the 1st World Senior Championships on Friday afternoon. The Masters will be played on dual lane conditions, with the left lane dressed with the longer oil-pattern and the right lane dressed with the shorter oil-pattern. All 24 players will bowl six games with the All-Events total carried forward. The top 8 after 24 games advance to seven games of round robin match play, where 20 bonus points are awarded for a won match and 10 bonus points for a tied match. The top four players with the highest 31-game total including bonus points will play two semi-finals over one game ; the highest positioned in Step 2 vs. the fourth highest positioned in Step 2 and the second highest (No. 1 meets No. 4 and No. 2 bowls No. 3). The winners advance to the championship match to determine the Masters champion in a one game fina ……………………………………………………………………………………………..

August 14th, 2013 Published by CTF Connection (Story and Photos Courtsey of Bowling Digital)

Mohr and Robin Romeo lead in All-Events after 12 of 18 games

Canada’s Jack Brace 3rd in All-Events after 12 games

Veronica Berumen & Teresa Piccini (pictured Left, l-r) of Mexico and Senior Team USA’s Hugh Miller &Ron Mohr (L-R Coach Bryan O’Keefe, Miller and Mohr) captured the women’s and men’s Doubles titles in the inaugural World Senior Championships Tuesday evening at Red Rock Lanes in Nevada In the women’s gold medal match, the Berumen/Piccini were able to weather a strong charge by Singles gold medalist Lucy Sandelin & Tish Johnson, United States, to win the first gold medal of the championships for Mexico, 401-387. In the men’s championship match, Miller/Mohr came out of the commandingly and cruised to a 450-387 victory over Colombia’s Edgar Gómez & David Romero. The eventual champions led the 60 men’s and 43 women’s doubles after six games of qualifying on the 40-feet Athens lane conditioning pattern en route to earn the No. 1 seed for the one-game playoffs. Joining Berumen/Piccini and Sandelin/Johnson in the women’s semifinals were both doubles from Sweden. Piccini and Johnson both fired 245 games to lead their teams into the match. The Mexicans topped No. 4 seeded Lena Sulkanen & Christel Carlsson, 414-393, while the Americans flew past Ann-Ki Larsson Carlsson & Susanne Olsson, 438-334. (Photo) L-R Carlsson, Sulkanen, coach Christer Eklund, Olsson and Larsson Carlsson. The gold medal match was a close one that was decided in the last frame. Sandelin started with a double to give the U.S. an early lead but Piccini countered with a four-bagger in frames 3-6 for a 14-pin lead after six frames. When Piccini suffered a big split in the ninth which she was unable to convert, the Americans had the chance to shut out the Mexicans to seal the victory. But neither Sandelin nor Johnson managed to strike in their last frame and when Piccini delivered two strikes, the match was over. The Americans (L-R Sandelin and Johnson) had to settle for the silver medal, while the Swedish doubles both received the bronze medal. Piccini, who has bowled in adult world championships for Mexico but never won a medal, was overwhelmed. “I never thought I would bowl for my country again. To win a gold medal in a world championships at this age and against two pros means everything to me,” Piccini said. In the men’s semifinals, Miller & Mohr met their mates Ed Roberts &Del Ballard Jr. (left, r-l). Roberts and Ballard, who tied Finland’s Timo Mäkelä & Teemu Raatikainen (right, r-l) at 2512, a 209.33 average, after qualifying earned the No. 4 seed with a 20-19 win in a one-ball roll-off. Mohr, Roberts and Ballard had 170-plus games and Miller made the difference with 201 to advance, 379-349. In the other semifinal match, the Colombians topped Canada’s Jack Brace & Ray Vervynck (Photo Right, with coach Michael Boroskae, center) by 18 pins to set up a title match against the PBA50 stars, 375-357. Miller, whose resume includes seven PBA Tour titles and three PBA Senior Tour wins, 32 PBA Regional and four PBA50 Regional titles, started with a four-bagger and Mohr, an eight-time winner on the PBA Senior Tour and two-time PBA50 Player of the Year (2009, 2011), had a spare and three consecutive strikes to take a 60-pin lead and never looked back. Miller finished with 223 an Mohr added 227 to win the second gold medal of the championships for the host country (pictured right) and the first for the men’s team. It was the second medal for Mohr after the silver medal in Singles. “The competition here (at the World Senior Championships) is completely different to bowling on the PBA Tour”, Mohr said. “To bowl for your country is something special. This title certainly ranked up with a PBA title.” Miller, who finished in 20th place in Singles, added: “I was a little disappointed about Singles yesterday, but today was my performance of the year especially the last game. I have never won a gold medal in anything. This is great.” After 12 of 18 games, Mohr (left) holds a commanding lead in All-Events (combined qualifying results in Singles, Doubles and Team) with 2719 total and an average of 226.58. Christer Pettersson of Sweden is 124 pins behind in second place with 2595 (216.25) followed by Jack Brace of Canada with 2575.

Just outside the box looking in are Satoru Ando of Japan and Singles champion ChristerDanielsson of Sweden with 2572 and 2550, respectively. Three U.S. and three Swedish bowlers sit atop the women’s All Events. Robin Romeo (right), United States, leads the 90-player field with 2539 and an average of 211.58. Sandelin is third with 2470 and Johnson fifth with 2379. Swedes Carlsson, Olsson and Sulkanen are second, fourth and sixth with 2476, 2453 and 2363 All players, men and women, return Wednesday for the qualifying in the four-player team event with the semifinals and finals scheduled for Thursday morning. The team qualifying also determines the mdals in All Events and the 24 Masters finalists. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

LAS VEGAS – World Tenpin Bowling Association President Kevin Dornberger officially declared open the inaugural World Senior ChampionshipsSunday afternoon at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas, Nev. 213 players age 50 and older from 33 countries plus officials, coaches, family, friends and supporters gathered in front of the 60 tournament lanes (the center also features 12 one-of-a-kind VIP lanes in a separated part of the bowling center) for the Opening Ceremonies. In the name of bowling’s world governing body, Dornberger thanked WTBA’s partners Storm, Brunswick, Kegel, Rolltech, Station Casinos, Red Rock, Southern Nevada USBC and the United States Bowling Congress for their support. Following the national anthem of the United States of America was the competitor’s oath recited by Senior Team USA’s Del Ballard Jr. and Lucy Sandelin and the Technical Official’s oath by Southern Nevada USBC President, Vern Vernazzaro. This marks the first time that senior bowlers will compete for medals in a WTBA-sanctioned World Senior Championship. Surprisingly, among all the athletes are only two former World Champions. Lena Sulkanen of Sweden, who has won three gold medals in Singles, Team and Masters in the 1983 World Championships in Caracas, Venezuela, is targeting to become the first women to win gold in both adult and senior World Championships. Rolando Sebelen of the Dominican Republic, who won the gold medal in Doubles with Carlos Diaz for Puerto Rico in the 1971 World Championships in Milwaukee, Wis., could become the first man to accomplish the feat. Among the favorites in the women’s division are two-time Bowling World Cup champion Jeanette Baker, Australia (1982, 83); Jill Friis of Canada, who rolled a 300 game at the 1999 World Cup; Germany’s Gisela Insinger, who won the 2012 International Seniors Bowling Tour Masters in Europe; Angie Brown of England, a multiple winner on the ISBT; PABCON champion Mariela Alarza of Venezuela; and Mexican standout Teresa Piccini. The men’s roster includes Finn Teemu Raatikainen, runner-up in the Masters event at the 1991 World Championships in Singapore (winner was Mika Koivuniemi); South American standout and multiple PABCON champion Arturo Hernandez of Venezuela; ISBT champion Christer Danielsson of Sweden; and multiple South American champ Marcio Vieira of Brazil, just to mention a few. Many of the other players are former national team members and have medaled in domestic and international events during their careers. However, the players to beat will be on the team of the host country as a star-studded lineup represents the United States of America at the inaugural World Senior Championships. The men’s team consists of 13-time PBA champion Del Ballard Jr., seven-time PBA titlist Hugh Miller, two-time PBA50 Tour Player of the Year Ron Mohr and Ed Roberts, who has has amassed amateur titles around the world. All four members of the women’s squad are members of the USBC Hall of Fame including three super stars of the former PWBA tour, 25-time champion Tish Johnson, 18-time champion Robin Romeo and 15-time champion Anne Marie Duggan. The former pros are joined by 10-time Team USA member Lucy Sandelin, who has won numerous international medals for her country including the 1976 AMF World Cup champion in Iran. The 1st World Senior Championships runs from Aug. 10 thru 16, 2013. Men and women will compete in separate divisions for medals in five events – Singles, Doubles, Team, All-Events and Masters. All participants must be 50 years of age or above in the year of the championship. Australia’s Michael Seymour will serve as Tournament Director and Marios Nicolaides of Cyprus is the WTBA technical delegate. In the team manger’s meeting on Saturday evening, Nicolaides has announced that the 35-feet Beijing and the 40-feet Athens lane conditioning pattern will be used for the championships. Competition gets underway Monday with the Singles qualifying. The top four players, men and women, after six games on the Beijing pattern will advance to the semifinals. The two semifinal winners will determine the first gold medalist on late Monday afternoon. The award ceremonies follow immediately after the championship match. Players return Tuesday for the Doubles qualifying, semi-finals and finals on the Athens pattern. Wednesday features the qualifying of the four-player Team event which is split into two three-game blocks, one each on the two lane conditioning pattern. The top 4 teams square off in the semifinals and finals on Thursday morning. The higher seeded teams have the right to determine the pattern. Medals are also given in All-Events with the 18-game total of the foregoing 18 games of the qualifying in Singles, Doubles and Team determining the medalists. The top 24 men and women in All-Events will advance to the Masters finals which will conclude the 1st World Seniors Championships on Friday afternoon. The Masters will be played on dual lane conditions, with the left lane dressed with the longer oil-pattern and the right lane dressed with the shorter oil-pattern. All 24 players will bowl six games with the All-Events total carried forward. The top 8 after 24 games advance to seven games of round robin match play, where 20 bonus points are awarded for a won match and 10 bonus points for a tied match. The top four players with the highest 31-game total including bonus points will play two semi-finals over one game ; the highest positioned in Step 2 vs. the fourth highest positioned in Step 2 and the second highest (No. 1 meets No. 4 and No. 2 bowls No. 3). The winners advance to the championship match to determine the Masters champion in a one game final. – Story and photos courtesy of BowlingDigital.com …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

August 7th, 2013

RECAP of CANADA’S MEDAL WINNERS AT THE TOURNAMENT OF THE AMERICA’S

SINGLES

ADULT

VAL CALBERRY

SILVER

SENIORS

MILES NERONA

SILVER

SUPER SENIOR

MARION MARKO

BRONZE

YOUTH

JORDAN KLASSEN

SILVER

YOUTH

MITCH HUPE

BRONZE

DOUBLES

ADULT

ART OLIVER/JOE CIACH

BRONZE

ADULT

VAL CALBERRY/FRANCE JOUBERT

BRONZE

SENIOR

RANDY KOSTENUK/MILES NERONA

SILVER

SENIOR

SUSAN GRANDE/SHERRY HOBSON

BRONZE

SUPER SENIOR

DEBBIE IP/MARION MARKO

SILVER

YOUTH

MITCH HUPE/JORDAN KLASSEN

SILVER

YOUTH

BRITTANY CRAWFORD/SHAUNE PINE

SILVER

MIXED DOUBLES

ADULT

VAL CALBERRY/JOE CIACH

BRONZE

YOUTH

SHAUNE PINE/JORDAN KLASSEN

SILVER

TEAMS

ADULT

VAL,FRANCE, ART, JOE

BRONZE

SENIORS

SUSAN,SHERRY,MILES, RANDY

SILVER

YOUTH

SHAUNE,BRITTANY,MITCH,JORDAN

BRONZE

ALL EVENTS

ADULT

VAL CALBERRY

SILVER

SENIORS

SUSAN GRANDE

BRONZE

SUPER SENIOR

MARION MARKO

BRONZE

YOUTH

JORDAN KLASSEN

SILVER

NATIONAL

ADULT TEAM

CANADA 3RD.

BRONZE

SENIOR TEAM

CANADA 2ND

SILVER

SUPER SENIOR TEAM

CANADA 3RD

BRONZE

YOUTH TEAM

CANADA 2ND

SILVER

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

August 1, 2013 World Games, Cali Colombia – Mixed Doubles.

After Squad 1 — Lynne Gauthier & Dan MacLelland take a 38 pin lead into squad two over the team from the US. of Kelly Kulick & Mike Fagan. Mexico sits in third, the top three teams will adavance to the stepladder finals.

The Day ends with a Silver Medal for Lynne Gauthier and Dan MacLelland

August 1, 2013 – From the Tournament of the America’s two more medals came in Mixed Doubles. Silver for Shaune Pine and Jordan Klassen in the Youth DivisionBronze for Valerie Calberry and Joe Ciach in the Adult Division ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Research Study on Bone Density of Competitive Bowlers

In 2011 a study was completed by Bone Density Research Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma about the Inter-limb musculoskeletal differences in competitive ten-pin bowlers: Click on the following link to read to review: Inter-limb musculoskeletal differences